{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.thehobbitblog.com/?p=2234|articlename=Andy Serkis to serve as Second Unit Director|dated=8-April-2011|website=[http://www.thehobbitblog.com/ The Hobbit Blog]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>

'''''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey''''' is the first of [[Peter Jackson]]'s [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' film trilogy]] based on [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s [[1937]] novel ''[[The Hobbit]]''. It was released on [[14 December]] [[2012]] in North America and will be followed by ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'' in [[2013]] and ''[[The Hobbit: There and Back Again]]'' in [[2014]].

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==Plot==

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{{Blockquote|The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.<br/><br/>

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''Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever... Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities... A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.|[[Warner Bros.]] Press Release<ref name="WBPressRelease1">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.warnerbros.com/movies/in-theaters-coming-soon/the-hobbit-an-unexpected-journey/c36f51cb-9332-4db9-b297-458453025455.html|articlename=THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY|website=[http://www.warnerbros.com/ Warner Bros.]|accessed=19-November-2012}}</ref>}}

The score for ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'' was composed by [[Howard Shore]], and was performed and recorded by the London Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios.<ref name="DougAdamsAUJ">{{webcite|author=[[Doug Adams]]|articleurl=http://www.musicoflotr.com/2012/11/the-hobbit-unexpected-journey.html|articlename=The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Soundtrack Album Coming December 11|dated=1-November-2012|website=[http://www.musicoflotr.com Doug Adam's Blog]|accessed=20-November-2012}}</ref>

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Two editions of the soundtrack was released by [[Wikipedia:WaterTower Music|WaterTower Music]] on [[11 December]] [[2012]]:

The song featured in the credits to ''An Unexpected Journey'', [[Song of the Lonely Mountain]], was performed by [[Neil Finn]] and released [[12 November]] [[2012]]. It was first [http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/neil-finn-reaches-epic-heights-on-song-of-the-lonely-mountain-song-premiere-20121112 released on RollingStone.com].<ref name="">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/neil-finn-reaches-epic-heights-on-song-of-the-lonely-mountain-song-premiere-20121112|articlename=Neil Finn Reaches Epic Heights on 'Song of the Lonely Mountain' – Song Premiere|dated=12-November-2012|website=[http://www.rollingstone.com/ RollingStone.com]|accessed=20-November-2012}}</ref>

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==Distribution==

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===Theatrical release===

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''An Unexpected Journey'' had its world première in [[Wellington]], [[New Zealand]], on [[28 November]] [[2012]]. The film was released in cinemas in New Zealand on [[12 December]], [[13 December]] in Europe, [[14 December]] in India, Canada and United States, and [[26 December]] in Australia.

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===Home media===

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''An Unexpected Journey'' will be released on DVD, Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, and as a digital download on [[19 March]] [[2013]].<ref name="UKDVD">{{webcite|author=lilymilos|articleurl=http://news.mymiddleearth.com/2013/02/06/sneak-peek-of-desolation-of-smaug-on-hobbit-blu-ray/|articlename=Sneak Peek of ‘Desolation of Smaug’ on Hobbit Blu-ray|dated=6-Feb-2013|website=MEN|accessed=9-Feb-2013}}</ref> The release date for the [[United Kingdom]] is [[8 April]].<ref name="UKDVD">{{webcite|author=Arwen|articleurl=http://news.mymiddleearth.com/2013/02/06/uk-hobbit-fans-to-wait-until-april-8th-for-blu-ray-blu-ray-dvd-and-digital-download-release/|articlename=UK Hobbit Fans to Wait Until April 8th for Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download Release|dated=6-Feb-2013|website=MEN|accessed=9-Feb-2013}}</ref>

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==Response==

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''An Unexpected Journey'' was met with a mixed response from film critics.-->

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==Promotional posters==

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{{Seealso|:Category:Images of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey posters}}

Contents

Plot

The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.

Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever... Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities... A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.—Warner Bros. Press Release[5]